Speedos and the MoT

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Wed 25 Jan 2023 10:58
Speedos and the MoT - Andrew-T

I sometimes wonder how much the MoT test checks the function of the speedometer. The only opportunity must be on the rolling road ? I have owned more than one car with a speedo which had some peculiarity.

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Wed 25 Jan 2023 10:59
Speedos and the MoT - elekie&a/c doctor
Speedometers are not tested for the mot . Only it’s illumination .
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Wed 25 Jan 2023 12:57
Speedos and the MoT - Andrew-T

As I suspected. Surely a vehicle should have an adequate indication of road speed ?

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Wed 25 Jan 2023 13:12
Speedos and the MoT - elekie&a/c doctor
I think you will find this comes under the motor vehicle construction and use regulations .
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Wed 25 Jan 2023 14:29
Speedos and the MoT - RichardW
Speedometers are not tested for the mot . Only it’s illumination .

They are...sort of!

You must check the speedometer of vehicles first used on or after 1 October 1937 with a maximum speed above 25mph. You do not need to check Class 3 vehicles.

If a road test is needed, for example to carry out a decelerometer test, you must check whilst driving that the speedometer is working.

If a road test is not necessary, you should only reject a speedometer if it’s clearly not working.

Speedometers do not need to be lit on:

  • vehicles with no front or rear position lamps
  • vehicles that have front or rear positions lamps that are permanently disconnected, painted over or masked

You can accept a tachograph as an alternative to a speedometer if it satisfies the requirements of this inspection.

DefectCategory(a) Speedometer not fitted where one is requiredMajor(b) Speedometer:

(i) operation impaired
(ii) not working

Minor
Major(c) Speedometer:

(i) not sufficiently illuminated
(ii) not illuminated

Minor
Major
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Wed 25 Jan 2023 13:23
Speedos and the MoT - Engineer Andy

I was initially wondering if this thread was about swimming gear...

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Sun 29 Jan 2023 11:52
Speedos and the MoT - edlithgow

I was initially wondering if this thread was about swimming gear...

Yeh, my initial thought was "BUT Australia doesn't HAVE an MOT?"

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